Closer Report (Jun. 16th)

This week was a very slow one for closers with just 12 players who received two or more save opportunities (SVO). While one closer in particular tries to make me proud, another tries to prove me wrong. Look for a new face and an old one in a familiar place. Here is this week’s Closer Report from Fantasy Baseball Sportal.

Grade A

Mariano Rivera (Yankees): Same ole, same ole, for MO. Nine batters up, and nine batters down for the week. Rivera added five strikeouts and was able to lower his ERA to 1.21 and his WHIP to just 0.63 for the season while adding two more saves. I would say at this pace Mariano can use his cutter to get people out for another five years.

Bobby Jenks (White Sox): Last week Jenks finally received an A and seemed to be putting something together. This week Jenks was the only player to record three saves (3-for-3), although he did allow a run. The pudgy South Sider added six K’s and lowered his ERA to 4.74. With all of the smack Jenks has received, he has only blown one save on the year (12-for-13).

Brian Fuentes (Angels): I honestly have to say that Fuentes is looking much, much better as the season progresses. For the first time in a while Fuentes’ K total equaled his walk/hit total (two). He made good on both SVO and now has 10 saves on the season.

Brian Wilson (Giants): Wilson went 2-for-2 last week in SVO and is now second in the majors with 18 saves on the year. The Giants closer added three strikeouts in two IP and now has 41 K’s in 29.1 IP this year.

Grade B

Jose Valverde (Tigers): Valverde has gone under the radar this year I feel, especially for having a 0.64 ERA and a 0.78 ERA. After going 2-for-2 this past week Valverde is now 14-for-15 on the year. The Tigers closer added seven strikeouts last week in four IP but did allow an earned run and walked two batters.

Ryan Franklin (Cardinals): The Cardinals closer gave up a homerun and two walks during the week but otherwise did his job. Franklin went 2-for-2 and now has 12 saves and a 1.86 ERA. I don’t see any reason why St. Louis would give anyone his job.

Kevin Gregg (Blue Jays): Gregg did walk two more batters and give up a couple hits, but was a perfect 2-for-2 last week. Gregg is tied for the league lead with 16 saves but has an unacceptable 18 walks in just 27 IP.

David Hernandez (Orioles): I have to give credit where credit is due and for that reason, you are reading about an Oriole player recording saves. Don’t expect this often, if ever again, but Hernandez recorded both save chances and allowed just one hit in 2.1 IP.

Grade C

Francisco Rodriguez (Mets): The Mets have been hot and so has their closer, which is why I didn’t want to get to down on him. K-Rod gave up just one homerun (two-run) and still went 2-for-2 in SVO, but I need more if I am going to give him anything more than a C. He added four strikeouts on the week as well.

Carlos Marmol (Cubs): It isn’t his fault he got a C, he only got one chance. Of course he made good on it and finished the week with three Ks in two IP. He almost blew Ted Lilly’s gem against the cross-town foes White Sox, but got Carlos Quentin to fly out to end the bases-loaded threat.

Grade D

Joakim Soria (Royals): Soria pitched just two innings, and recorded a save in each game played, but gave up two earned and struckout just one. The Royals closer has a modest 3.04 ERA and 15 saves on the season.

Grade F

David Aardsma (Mariners): This is becoming all too familiar for Aardsma, and myself (number one closer). Aardmsa went 1-for-2 in SVO while give up two earned during the week. He didn’t help his WHIP either by hitting a batter and giving up two hits. He now has a 5.85 ERA on the year, if you are relying on Aardsma like myself, it may be time to start monitoring the bullpen situation in Seattle.

Leo Nunez (Marlins): Nunez went 1-for-2 during the week allowing four hits, two earned, and a walk. He did manage to strikeout two and was solid in his one save, but now has three blown saves and a loss on the year. He is still a good option as he has a 2.70 ERA and a 1.01 WHIP on the season.